Individuals facing criminal charges are entitled to a preliminary hearing or can have the charges forwarded for trial at county court level.

The hearing had been scheduled yesterday before District Judge Edward Lewis of Jim Thorpe.

The charges stem from an incident at 6:55 p.m. on Sept. 18.

The arresting officer is patrolman Richton Penn of the Mahoning Township Police Department.

Penn wrote in the affidavit of probable cause that on Sept. 18, he was dispatched to Upper Nis Hollow Drive for a report of a female being assaulted by a male in a vehicle.

The female, who had swelling on her face area including her cheek, jaw, and near her eyes, told Penn her husband had assaulted her, the affidavit says. She also had red marks around her neck area.

The woman said she was driving her vehicle and the husband was in the passenger seat, when he began punching her in the face, according to the affidavit.

It continues, "She was hit many times, as they traveled up Mahoning Mountain Road. Matthew then placed his arm in front of her eyes which caused her to lose control of the vehicle and nearly drive off the side of the mountain."

The wife told police that Matthew threatened to kill her, and punched her several more times.

When the wife tried to flee, Matthew wrapped his arm around her neck, says the police officer's report.

Matthew finally fled the scene in the vehicle.

The wife was transported to a hospital where she was treated for her injuries, which included a broken jaw, swelling and bruises to her face, pain to her neck, arm, and face, and other places, says the affidavit.

Matthew is currently being housed in the Carbon County Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 bail.